John Markell

John was born on August 19, 1922, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada to Wilbur and Agnes (Gorman) Markell where his parents homesteaded on the Canadian prairie. He moved to Green Valley in 1924 where he lived until 1995. John attended a two-room country school in Green Valley until 8th grade, then went on to graduate from Marshall High School in 1940. He excelled in the 100-yard dash and relays on the high school track team. John was drafted into the army in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He served as a combat engineer with the 36th Combat Engineer Battalion where he fought in invasions of North Africa, Italy, Sicily, Germany, Austria, France. He bravely fought in the invasion of Anzio and was one of 8 in his platoon to survive. He received the Purple Heart medal for injuries sustained in battle. John married the love of his life Annette (“Sug” [short for sugar]), Alcorn in 1947. Four children were lucky to call them “Mom and Dad”---Dan, Linda, Lee, and Deb. John loved sports, hunting and fishing. He umpired baseball in the South West Minny League in the 1950’s . He enjoyed watching the Twins, playing rolle bolle, playing cards. His radio dial was permanently affixed to WCCO. He rarely missed a Knights of Columbus or Cottonwood American Legion meeting. Practical jokes were important in his life… one of his favorite fishing stories was when he put a live minnow in Ted Versluy’s can of Grain Belt beer while they were fishing! He enjoyed life to the fullest and enjoyed a good laugh. In high school John worked as an apprentice to a blacksmith and as a pin setter at the bowling alley in Marshall. He did constuction work, then picked up eggs and cream for the Cottonwood Creamery 1951-1954. He worked at Schwans from 1954-1991 starting with loading trucks, then onto route sales and then was the first sales manager at Schwans. John was instrumental in hiring numerous individuals who later went on to upper management positions. John was survived by wife Annette (Sug) Markell, children Dan (Arlene) Markell, Marshall; Linda (Glenn) Pinkston, Dallas, TX; Lee (Jean) Markell, Eagan; Deb (Wayne) Carlson, Hanley Falls, MN. Nine grandchildren: Aaron (Karla) Markell, Brady (Lauren) Markell, Kari Markell, Willie (Mandy) Pinkston, Todd (Erin) Pinkston, Nate (Jodi) Markell, Angie Markell, Mandy (Jon) Recker and Alissa (Bram) Burginger. Five great grandchildren: Noah Markell, Markelle Burginger, Hannah Markell, Sophie Recker and Braden Markell. Sister Avis Kroger. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and one brother. Words to describe John. He was a. . .son, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, painter, black smith apprentice, patriot, Schwan’s man, volunteer, Purple Heart recipient, Catholic, world record holder for most rosaries lead at prayer services and car trips, fisherman, hunter, sports enthusiast, umpire, jokester, proud Irishman, teacher, beer, pizza, steak and raw fries lover, optimist, romantic, family man, nurturer, loyal friend, whistler, lover of life, storyteller, wearer of Old Spice aftershave. We will miss you Dad!